SEC Petition Evaluation Report 

Petition SEC-00177 Addendum 1 

Report Rev #: Addendum 1 Report Submittal Date: July 27, 2011

Subject Expert(s): James Bogard, Monica Harrison-Maples 

Site Expert(s): N/A

Petition Administrative Summary 

Petition Under Evaluation 

Petition # Petition 

Type 

Petition 

Receipt Date 

Qualification Date DOE/AWE Facility Name 

SEC-00177 

(Addendum 1) 

83.13 July 14, 2010 September 9, 2010 Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Petitioner-Requested Class Definition 

All employees who worked in any area at the Vitro Manufacturing facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, during 

the time period from January 1, 1958 through April 30, 1960. 

Class Evaluated by NIOSH 

All employees who worked in any area at the Vitro Manufacturing facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, during 

the time period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. 

NIOSH-Proposed Class to be Added to the SEC 

All Atomic Weapons Employees who worked at Vitro Manufacturing in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, from January 

1, 1960 through September 30, 1965, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring 

either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one 

or more other classes of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort.

Related Petition Summary Information 

SEC Petition 

Tracking #(s) 

Petition 

Type 

DOE/AWE Facility Name Petition Status 

SEC-00134 

SEC-00177 

83.14 

83.13 

Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Class added to the SEC for Aug. 13, 1942 

through Dec. 31, 1957 

Class added to the SEC for Jan. 1, 1958 

through Dec. 31, 1959 

Related Evaluation Report Information 

Report Title DOE/AWE Facility Name 

SEC Petition Evaluation Report for Petition SEC-00134 

SEC Petition Evaluation Report for Petition SEC-00177 

Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

ORAU Lead Technical Evaluator: Monica HarrisonMaplesORAU Peer Review Completed By: Michael Kubiak

Peer Review Completed By: [Signature on File] 7/27/2011 

Gregory Macievic Date 

[Signature on File] 7/28/2011 SEC Petition Evaluation Reviewed By: 

J. W. Neton Date 

[Signature on File] 7/28/2011 SEC Evaluation Approved By: 

Stuart L.Hinnefeld Date 
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Evaluation Report Summary: SEC-00177 Addendum 1, Vitro 

Manufacturing 

This evaluation report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

addresses a class of employees proposed for addition to the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) per the 

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 

§ 7384 et seq. (EEOICPA) and 42 C.F.R. pt. 83, Procedures for Designating Classes of Employees as 

Members of the Special Exposure Cohort under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness 

Compensation Program Act of 2000. 

Petitioner-Requested Class Definition

Petition SEC-00177 was received on July 14, 2010, and qualified on September 9, 2010. The 

petitioner requested that NIOSH consider the following class: All employees who worked in any area 

at the Vitro Manufacturing facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, during the time period from January 

1, 1958 through April 30, 1960. 

Class Evaluated by NIOSH

Based on its preliminary research, NIOSH divided the petitioner-requested class into two periods to be 

separately evaluated. The first period, from January 1, 1958 through December 31, 1959, has been 

documented in the evaluation report SEC-00177, dated February 4, 2011. In the interest of timeliness, 

NIOSH reserved the feasibility evaluation for the residual radiation period beginning in January 1960. 

The evaluation of the period beginning on January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965 is presented 

in this report, SEC-00177 Addendum 1. 

NIOSH evaluated the following class: All employees who worked in any area at the Vitro 

Manufacturing facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, during the time period from January 1, 1960 

through September 30, 1965. 

NIOSH-Proposed Class to be Added to the SEC

Based on its complete research of the class under evaluation, NIOSH has defined a single class of 

employees for which NIOSH cannot estimate radiation doses with sufficient accuracy. The NIOSHproposed class includes all Atomic Weapons Employees who worked at Vitro Manufacturing in 

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965, for a number of work 

days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in 

combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of 

employees in the Special Exposure Cohort. The class under evaluation was recommended for 

inclusion in the SEC (see Section 3.0 below) because NIOSH lacks personnel monitoring data, air 

monitoring information, sufficient process information, and radiological source term information for 

the period under evaluation to allow it to estimate, with sufficient accuracy, the potential occupational 

exposures to uranium products and uranium progeny during remediation at Vitro Manufacturing 

(Canonsburg) during the proposed SEC period. 
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Feasibility of Dose Reconstruction

Per EEOICPA and 42 C.F.R. § 83.13(c)(1), NIOSH has established that it does not have access to 

sufficient information to: (1) estimate the maximum radiation dose, for every type of cancer for which 

radiation doses are reconstructed, that could have been incurred in plausible circumstances by any 

member of the class; or (2) estimate radiation doses of members of the class more precisely than an 

estimate of maximum dose. Information available from the site profile and additional resources is not 

sufficient to document or estimate the maximum internal and external potential exposure to members 

of the proposed class under plausible circumstances during the specified period. 

The NIOSH dose reconstruction feasibility findings are based on the following: 

• Principal sources of internal and external radiation for members of the proposed class included 

exposures to site contamination and residue piles containing uranium and uranium progeny, 

including radon. 

• There is currently a class of Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) workers associated with the 

previous NIOSH evaluation of SEC petition SEC-00134 for a portion of the site’s Atomic 

Weapons Employer operations period (August 13, 1942 through December 31, 1957). The 

Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has designated the following 

class for inclusion in the Special Exposure Cohort: 

All AWE employees who worked at Vitro Manufacturing in Canonsburg ,Pennsylvania from 

August 13, 1942 through December 31, 1957, for a number of work days aggregating at least 

250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with work 

days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the 

Special Exposure Cohort.

An additional class of Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) workers for the period from1957 

through 1959 has been designated for addition to the Special Exposure Cohort. This designation 

by DHHS followed the initial evaluation of petition SEC-00177 for Vitro Manufacturing 

(Canonsburg). The designation of the following class of employees as an addition to the SEC was 

effective May 29, 2011: 

All Atomic Weapons Employer employees who worked at Vitro Manufacturing in 

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, from January 1, 1958 through December 31, 1959, for a number 

of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this 

employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or 

more other classes of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort. 

• The proposed class period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965, follows 

immediately after the already-designated SEC period for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg). 

During this period, employees at the facility had potential for exposure to radiological source 

materials stored in open residue piles susceptible to contamination spread, and to radiological 

materials during decontamination and decommissioning activities including the eventual burial of 

the residue piles. NIOSH has documentation indicating that Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

completed the transfer and burial of the residue storage piles onsite. The report describing the 

completed state of the burial work is dated September 30, 1965. 
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• NIOSH does not have access to personnel monitoring, workplace monitoring, or source term data 

to estimate unmonitored internal and external exposures for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

workers during the period of residue storage and site decommissioning and burial operations from 

January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. 

• Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 83.13(c)(1), NIOSH determined that there is insufficient information to 

either: (1) estimate the maximum radiation dose, for every type of cancer for which radiation 

doses are reconstructed, that could have been incurred under plausible circumstances by any 

member of the class; or (2) estimate the radiation doses of members of the class more precisely 

than a maximum dose estimate. 

• Doses received from occupational medical X-rays are not part of the source term for the residual 

radiation period; therefore, medical doses were not evaluated. 

• Although NIOSH found that it is not possible to completely reconstruct radiation doses for the 

proposed class, NIOSH intends to use any internal and external monitoring data that may become 

available for an individual claim (and that can be interpreted using existing NIOSH dose 

reconstruction processes or procedures). Therefore, dose reconstructions for individuals employed 

at Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) during the period from January 1, 1960 through September 

30, 1965, but who do not qualify for inclusion in the SEC, may be performed using these data as 

appropriate. 

Health Endangerment Determination

Per EEOICPA and 42 C.F.R. § 83.13(c)(3), a health endangerment determination is required because 

NIOSH has determined that it does not have sufficient information to estimate dose for the members 

of the proposed class. 

NIOSH did not identify any evidence supplied by the petitioners or from other resources that would 

establish that the proposed class was exposed to radiation during a discrete incident likely to have 

involved exceptionally high-level exposures, such as nuclear criticality incidents or other events 

involving similarly high levels of exposures. However, the evidence reviewed in this evaluation 

indicates that some workers in the proposed class may have accumulated chronic exposures through 

intakes of radionuclides, combined with external exposures to beta and gamma radiation. Therefore, 

42 C.F.R. § 83.13(c)(3)(ii) requires NIOSH to specify that health may have been endangered for those 

workers covered by this evaluation who were employed for a number of work days aggregating at 

least 250 work days, either within the parameters established for this class, or in combination with 

work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the SEC. 
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Table of Contents 

1.0 Purpose and Scope .......................................................................................................................... 9

2.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 9

3.0 SEC-00177 Addendum 1, Vitro Manufacturing Class Definitions .............................................. 10

3.1 Petitioner-Requested Class Definition and Basis ................................................................ 11

3.2 Class Evaluated by NIOSH ................................................................................................. 12

3.3 NIOSH-Proposed Class to be Added to the SEC ................................................................ 12

4.0 Data Sources Reviewed by NIOSH to Evaluate the Class ........................................................... 13

4.1 Site Profile Technical Basis Documents (TBDs) ................................................................ 13

4.2 ORAU Technical Information Bulletins (OTIBs) ............................................................... 13

4.3 Facility Employees and Experts .......................................................................................... 14

4.4 Previous Dose Reconstructions ........................................................................................... 14

4.5 NIOSH Site Research Database .......................................................................................... 14

4.6 Documentation and/or Affidavits Provided by Petitioners ................................................. 15

5.0 Radiological Operations Relevant to the Class Evaluated by NIOSH ......................................... 15

5.1 Vitro Manufacturing Plant and Process Descriptions ......................................................... 15

5.2 Radiological Exposure Sources from Vitro Manufacturing Operations ............................. 16

5.2.1 Internal Radiological Exposure Sources from Vitro Manufacturing Operations .... 16

5.2.1.1 Natural Uranium ....................................................................................... 17

5.2.1.2 Uranium Progeny ...................................................................................... 17

5.2.2 External Radiological Exposure Sources from Vitro Manufacturing Operations ... 17

5.2.2.1 Photon ....................................................................................................... 17

5.2.2.2 Beta ........................................................................................................... 18

5.2.2.3 Neutron ..................................................................................................... 18

6.0 Summary of Available Monitoring Data for the Class Evaluated by NIOSH ............................. 18

6.1 Available Vitro Manufacturing Internal Monitoring Data .................................................. 18

6.2 Available Vitro Manufacturing External Monitoring Data ................................................. 18

7.0 Feasibility of Dose Reconstruction for the Class Evaluated by NIOSH ...................................... 19

7.1 Pedigree of Vitro Manufacturing Data ................................................................................ 20

7.1.1 Internal Monitoring Data Pedigree Review ............................................................. 20

7.1.2 External Monitoring Data Pedigree Review ............................................................ 20

7.2 Evaluation of Bounding Internal Radiation Doses at Vitro Manufacturing ........................ 20

7.2.1 Evaluation of Bounding Residual Radiation Period Internal Doses ....................... 20

7.2.2 Methods for Bounding Internal Dose at Vitro Manufacturing ................................ 21

7.2.3 Internal Dose Reconstruction Feasibility Conclusion ............................................. 21

7.3 Evaluation of Bounding External Radiation Doses at Vitro Manufacturing ....................... 22

7.3.1 Evaluation of Bounding Residual Radiation Period External Doses ...................... 22

7.3.2 Vitro Manufacturing Occupational X-Ray Examinations ....................................... 22

7.3.3 Methods for Bounding External Dose at Vitro Manufacturing ............................... 22

7.3.4 External Dose Reconstruction Feasibility Conclusion ............................................ 23
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7.4 Evaluation of Petition Basis for SEC-00177 Addendum 1 ................................................. 23

7.4.1 Monitoring Inadequacies ......................................................................................... 23

7.4.2 Working Conditions After 1957 .............................................................................. 23

7.5 Summary of Feasibility Findings for Petition SEC-00177 Addendum 1 ............................ 24

8.0 Evaluation of Health Endangerment for Petition SEC-00177 Addendum 1 ................................ 25

9.0 Class Conclusion for Petition SEC-00177 Addendum 1 .............................................................. 25

10.0 References .................................................................................................................................... 27

Attachment One: Data Capture Synopsis .............................................................................................. 31

Tables 

Table 4-1: No. of Vitro Manufacturing Claims Submitted Under the Dose Reconstruction Rule ....... 14 

Table 7-1: Summary of Feasibility Findings for SEC-00177 Addendum 1 .......................................... 24
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SEC Petition Evaluation Report Addendum 1 for SEC-00177 

ATTRIBUTION AND ANNOTATION: This is a single-author document. All conclusions drawn from 

the data presented in this evaluation were made by the ORAU Team Lead Technical Evaluator: 

Monica Harrison-Maples, Oak Ridge Associated Universities. The rationales for all conclusions in 

this document are explained in the associated text.

1.0 Purpose and Scope 

This report evaluates the feasibility of reconstructing doses for all employees who worked in any area 

at the Vitro Manufacturing facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, during the time period from January 

1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. It provides information and analyses germane to considering a 

petition for adding a class of employees to the Congressionally-created SEC. 

This report does not make any determinations concerning the feasibility of dose reconstruction that 

necessarily apply to any individual energy employee who might require a dose reconstruction from 

NIOSH. This report also does not contain the final determination as to whether the proposed class 

will be added to the SEC (see Section 2.0). 

This evaluation was conducted in accordance with the requirements of EEOICPA, 42 C.F.R. pt. 83, 

and the guidance contained in the Division of Compensation Analysis and Support’s (DCAS) Internal 

Procedures for the Evaluation of Special Exposure Cohort Petitions, DCAS-PR-004.1

2.0 Introduction 

Both EEOICPA and 42 C.F.R. pt. 83 require NIOSH to evaluate qualified petitions requesting that the 

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) add a class of employees to the SEC. The 

evaluation is intended to provide a fair, science-based determination of whether it is feasible to 

estimate with sufficient accuracy the radiation doses of the class of employees through NIOSH dose 

reconstructions.2

 

42 C.F.R. § 83.13(c)(1) states: Radiation doses can be estimated with sufficient accuracy if NIOSH 

has established that it has access to sufficient information to estimate the maximum radiation dose, 

for every type of cancer for which radiation doses are reconstructed, that could have been incurred in 

plausible circumstances by any member of the class, or if NIOSH has established that it has access to 

sufficient information to estimate the radiation doses of members of the class more precisely than an 

estimate of the maximum radiation dose.

 

Under 42 C.F.R. § 83.13(c)(3), if it is not feasible to estimate with sufficient accuracy radiation doses 

for members of the class, then NIOSH must determine that there is a reasonable likelihood that such 

radiation doses may have endangered the health of members of the class. The regulation requires 

NIOSH to assume that any duration of unprotected exposure may have endangered the health of 

 

1

 DCAS was formerly known as the Office of Compensation Analysis and Support (OCAS). 

2

 NIOSH dose reconstructions under EEOICPA are performed using the methods promulgated under 42 C.F.R. pt. 82 and 

the detailed implementation guidelines available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ocas. 
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members of a class when it has been established that the class may have been exposed to radiation 

during a discrete incident likely to have involved levels of exposure similarly high to those occurring 

during nuclear criticality incidents. If the occurrence of such an exceptionally high-level exposure has 

not been established, then NIOSH is required to specify that health was endangered for those workers 

who were employed for at least 250 aggregated work days within the parameters established for the 

class or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other SEC 

classes. 

NIOSH is required to document its evaluation in a report, and to do so, relies upon both its own dose 

reconstruction expertise as well as technical support from its contractor, Oak Ridge Associated 

Universities (ORAU). Once completed, NIOSH provides the report to both the petitioner(s) and the 

Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (Board). The Board will consider the NIOSH 

evaluation report, together with the petition, petitioner(s) comments, and other information the Board 

considers appropriate, in order to make recommendations to the Secretary of HHS on whether or not 

to add one or more classes of employees to the SEC. Once NIOSH has received and considered the 

advice of the Board, the Director of NIOSH will propose a decision on behalf of HHS. The Secretary 

of HHS will make the final decision, taking into account the NIOSH evaluation, the advice of the 

Board, and the proposed decision issued by NIOSH. As part of this decision process, petitioners may 

seek a review of certain types of final decisions issued by the Secretary of HHS.3 

3.0 SEC-00177 Addendum 1, Vitro Manufacturing Class Definitions 

The following subsections address the evolution of the class definition for SEC-00177 Addendum 1, 

Vitro Manufacturing in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. When a petition is submitted, the requested class 

definition is reviewed as submitted. Based on its review of the available site information and data, 

NIOSH will make a determination whether to qualify for full evaluation all, some, or no part of the 

petitioner-requested class. If some portion of the petitioner-requested class is qualified, NIOSH will 

specify that class along with a justification for any modification of the petitioner’s class. After a full 

evaluation of the qualified class, NIOSH will determine whether to propose a class for addition to the 

SEC and will specify that proposed class definition. 

Per the DOE Office of Health, Safety and Security, the time period currently associated with Atomic 

Weapons Employer (AWE) operations at the Vitro Manufacturing Canonsburg site is 1942 through 

1959. Prior to January 2011, the period associated with AWE operations was defined as 1942 through 

1957, with a residual radiation period designated for 1958 through 1985. In January 2011, based upon 

NIOSH research, the AWE operations period designation for the Vitro Manufacturing Canonsburg 

site was extended to include 1958 and 1959 (DOL, 2011a; DOL, 2011b). There is currently a class of 

Vitro Manufacturing workers associated with the previous NIOSH evaluation of SEC petition SEC00134 for the site’s previously-designated AWE operations period (1942 through 1957). The 

Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has designated the following 

class for inclusion in the Special Exposure Cohort: 

All AWE employees who worked at Vitro Manufacturing in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania from 

August 13, 1942 through December 31, 1957, for a number of work days aggregating at least 

3

 See 42 C.F.R. pt. 83 for a full description of the procedures summarized here. Additional internal procedures are 

available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ocas. 
SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

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250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with work 

days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the 

Special Exposure Cohort (DHHS, 2009). 

Detailed information associated with the worker class added to the SEC in 2009 can be found in the 

NIOSH evaluation report, SEC Petition Evaluation Report for Petition SEC-00134, Vitro 

Manufacturing (Canonsburg) (NIOSH, 2008). 

A class for Vitro Manufacturing workers associated with NIOSH’s initial evaluation of SEC petition 

SEC-00177, for the period of January 1, 1958 through December 31, 1959 (NIOSH, 2011) has been 

designated for addition to the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC): 

All Atomic Weapons Employer employees who worked at Vitro Manufacturing in Canonsburg, 

Pennsylvania, from January 1, 1958 through December 31, 1959, for a number of work days 

aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in 

combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes 

of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort (DHHS, 2011). 

Detailed information associated with this worker class can be reviewed in the NIOSH evaluation 

report, dated February 4, 2011, SEC Petition Evaluation Report for Petition SEC-00177, Vitro 

Manufacturing (Canonsburg) (NIOSH, 2011). The 1958-1959 SEC class proposed by NIOSH 

(NIOSH, 2011) was based on potential unmonitored exposure to uranium feed materials and progeny 

during the AWE operations period from 1958 through 1959, and on the lack of information relative to 

the disequilibrium between the uranium feed and it’s progeny. NIOSH reserved the evaluation of 

residual radiation period exposures at Vitro Manufacturing starting in 1960. This report documents 

the evaluation of Vitro Manufacturing potential radiological exposures for the portion of the residual 

radiation period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. NIOSH ended its evaluation at 

the conclusion of significant remediation activities. The buildings were decommissioned and 

exposure due to the presence of the residue storage piles had been remediated through burial in 1965. 

3.1 Petitioner-Requested Class Definition and Basis 

Petition SEC-00177 was received on July 14, 2010, and qualified on September 9, 2010. The 

petitioner requested that NIOSH consider the following class: All employees who worked in any area 

at the Vitro Manufacturing facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, during the time period from January 

1, 1958 through April 30, 1960. 

The petitioner provided information and affidavit statements in support of the petitioner’s belief that 

accurate dose reconstruction over time is impossible for the Vitro Manufacturing workers in question. 

NIOSH deemed the following information and affidavit statements sufficient to qualify SEC-00177 

for evaluation: 

The petitioner submitted an affidavit (Affidavit, 2010) stating that radiation exposures and 

therefore radiation doses potentially incurred by members of the proposed class were not 

monitored, either through personal or area monitoring. The petitioner also included information 

(Form B, 2010) on the Vitro Manufacturing site published by the United States Energy 

Information Administration and by NIOSH. The petitioner submitted two memoranda (Petition 
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Supplement, 2010). In the memoranda the petitioner questioned the 1957 end date for the 

previously-designated SEC class, and indicated that the same radiological conditions that resulted 

in the inability to reconstruct doses for the AWE operations period addressed in SEC-00134 

(NIOSH, 2008) continued to exist after 1957. 

Based on its Vitro Manufacturing research and data capture efforts, NIOSH has determined that it has 

access to very limited information regarding activities at the site beyond the processing of radiological 

materials. The available documents do not contain any survey data, personnel monitoring data, 

occupancy records, or other descriptive information from which to develop exposure scenarios for the 

period being evaluated. 

3.2 Class Evaluated by NIOSH 

Based on its preliminary research, NIOSH divided the petitioner-requested class for SEC-00177 into 

two periods to be separately evaluated. The first period, from January 1, 1958 through December 31, 

1959, has been documented in the evaluation report SEC-00177, dated February 4, 2011. In the 

interest of timeliness, NIOSH reserved the feasibility evaluation for the residual radiation period 

beginning in January 1960. The evaluation of the period beginning on January 1, 1960 through 

September 30, 1965 is presented in this report, SEC-00177 Addendum 1. 

Based on its research into the operations and exposure conditions at Vitro Manufacturing starting in 

1960, NIOSH found no indication of continued radiological processing activities during the period 

from January through mid-19604

 (encompassing the petitioned period). Remediation activities began 

in July 1965 and were complete by September 30, 1965. Workers performing the remediation transfer 

and burial of the residue piles had potential for both internal and external exposure to the radioactive 

components of the residue piles during this remediation activity. 

NIOSH evaluated the following class: All employees who worked in any area at the Vitro 

Manufacturing facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, during the time period from January 1, 1960 

through September 30, 1965. 

3.3 NIOSH-Proposed Class to be Added to the SEC 

Based on its research of the class under evaluation, NIOSH has defined a single class of employees for 

which NIOSH cannot estimate radiation doses with sufficient accuracy. The NIOSH-proposed class 

to be added to the SEC includes all Atomic Weapons Employees who worked at Vitro Manufacturing 

in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965, for a number of 

work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in 

combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of 

employees in the Special Exposure Cohort. During this period, employees at the facility may have 

been exposed to radiological source materials stored onsite in open piles and to radiological materials 

during decontamination and decommissioning activities. Prior to the burial of the residue material, 

4

 NIOSH located multiple references that agreed on the end of processing by year, but differed on the exact month. For 

example, a document within SRDB Ref ID: 10288, pdf p. 297 and SRDB Ref ID: 79085, pdf p. 2 stated that there were no 

workers after May 1960, while a document within SRDB Ref ID: 10288, pdf p. 297 indicates that the site was vacated by 

July 1960. NIOSH reviewed claimant files and found 3 individuals with work history at the site being reported up until 

June 30, 1960. 
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workers were potentially exposed to uncontrolled contamination resulting from environmental 

processes such as wind abrasion of the open piles. 

4.0 Data Sources Reviewed by NIOSH to Evaluate the Class 

As is standard practice, NIOSH completed an extensive database and Internet search for information 

regarding Vitro Manufacturing. The database search included the DOE Legacy Management 

Considered Sites database, the DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) database, 

the Energy Citations database, the Atomic Energy Technical Report database, and the Hanford 

Declassified Document Retrieval System. In addition to general Internet searches, the NIOSH 

Internet search included OSTI OpenNet Advanced searches, OSTI Information Bridge Fielded 

searches, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Agency-wide Documents Access and Management 

(ADAMS) web searches, the DOE Office of Human Radiation Experiments website, and the DOENational Nuclear Security Administration-Nevada Site Office-search. Attachment One contains a 

summary of Vitro Manufacturing documents. The summary specifically identifies data capture details 

and general descriptions of the documents retrieved. 

In addition to the database and Internet searches listed above, NIOSH identified and reviewed 

numerous data sources to determine information relevant to determining the feasibility of dose 

reconstruction for the class of employees under evaluation. This included determining the availability 

of information on personal monitoring, area monitoring, industrial processes, and radiation source 

materials. The following subsections summarize the data sources identified and reviewed by NIOSH. 

4.1 Site Profile Technical Basis Documents (TBDs) 

A Site Profile provides specific information concerning the documentation of historical practices at 

the specified site. Dose reconstructors can use the Site Profile to evaluate internal and external 

dosimetry data for monitored and unmonitored workers, and to supplement, or substitute for, 

individual monitoring data. A Site Profile consists of an Introduction and five Technical Basis 

Documents (TBDs) that provide process history information, information on personal and area 

monitoring, radiation source descriptions, and references to primary documents relevant to the 

radiological operations at the site. The Site Profile for a small site may consist of a single document. 

In the case of Vitro Manufacturing, a Site Profile document has not been written. 

4.2 ORAU Technical Information Bulletins (OTIBs) 

An ORAU Technical Information Bulletin (OTIB) is a general working document that provides 

guidance for preparing dose reconstructions at particular sites or categories of sites. NIOSH reviewed 

the following OTIBs as part of its evaluation: 

• OTIB: Estimating the Maximum Plausible Dose to Workers at Atomic Weapons Employer 

Facilities, ORAUT-OTIB-0004, Rev. 03 PC-2; December 6, 2006; SRDB Ref ID: 36191

• OTIB: Dose Reconstruction During Residual Radioactivity Periods at Atomic Weapons Employer 

Facilities, ORAUT-OTIB-0070, Rev. 00; March 10, 2008; SRDB Ref ID: 41603
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4.3 Facility Employees and Experts 

To obtain additional information, NIOSH interviewed seven former Vitro Manufacturing employees 

for the previous SEC-00177 Evaluation Report dated February 4, 2011 (NIOSH, 2011). NIOSH 

selected individuals based on their known experience and likelihood that they would be 

knowledgeable about the operations and/or radiation monitoring practices at the Vitro Manufacturing 

site. All interviews were conducted by phone for the purpose of gaining additional information about 

any differences in work processes or health and safety procedures between the defined Atomic Energy 

Commission (AEC) operational period and the period under evaluation. Very limited information 

specific to the period from 1960 through 1965 was obtained from the interviews. 

4.4 Previous Dose Reconstructions 

NIOSH reviewed its NIOSH DCAS Claims Tracking System (referred to as NOCTS) to locate 

EEOICPA-related dose reconstructions that might provide information relevant to the petition 

evaluation. Table 4-1 summarizes the results of this review. (NOCTS data available as of June 1, 

2011) 

Table 4-1: No. of Vitro Manufacturing Claims Submitted Under the Dose Reconstruction Rule 

Description Totals 

Total number of claims submitted for dose reconstruction 27 

Total number of claims submitted for energy employees who worked during the period under 

evaluation (January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965) 8 

Number of dose reconstructions completed for energy employees who worked during the period 

under evaluation (i.e., the number of such claims completed by NIOSH and submitted to the 

Department of Labor for final approval) 7 

Number of claims for which internal dosimetry records were obtained for employees who worked 

during the period under evaluation 0 

Number of claims for which external dosimetry records were obtained for employees who worked 

during the period under evaluation 0 

NIOSH reviewed each claim to determine whether internal and/or external personal monitoring 

records could be obtained for each claimant. Eight of the nine claims with work history within the 

period under evaluation had dose reconstructions completed; while the ninth was pulled for inclusion 

in a previously designated SEC class. NIOSH has not located any internal or external monitoring data 

associated the time period of this evaluation for any of the Vitro Manufacturing energy employees 

who had work experience during the period under evaluation. 

4.5 NIOSH Site Research Database 

NIOSH also examined its Site Research Database (SRDB) to locate documents supporting the 

assessment of the evaluated class. Seven hundred ninety-one documents in this database were 

identified as pertaining to Vitro Manufacturing in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. These documents were 

evaluated for their relevance to this petition. The documents include personnel data, historical 

background on Vitro Manufacturing operations and materials, contractual information, maps and 

surveys from the residual radiation period, and air monitoring information (although limited). 
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4.6 Documentation and/or Affidavits Provided by Petitioners 

In qualifying and evaluating the petition, NIOSH reviewed the following documents submitted by the 

petitioners: 

• Petition Form B for SEC-00177 with attached site summary documents; received on July 14, 

2010; OSA Ref ID: 112176, pdf pp. 2-9, 11-13 (Form B, 2010)

• Affidavit from Laboratory Technician; July 2, 2002; OSA Ref ID: 112176, pdf p. 10 (Affidavit, 

2002)

• Affidavit from Laboratory Technician; July 6, 2010; OSA Ref ID: 112176, pdf p. 1 (Affidavit, 

2010)

• Supplemental Information for SEC-00177 Petition; August 14, 2010; OSA Ref ID: 112455 

(Petition Supplement, 2010)

These documents supported the petitioner’s position that the SEC-00134 petition end date of 

December 31, 1957 should not define the end of the class for Vitro Manufacturing. The documents 

were reviewed for relevance to the time period under consideration for the initial SEC-00177 

Evaluation Report (NIOSH, 2011) and this current evaluation, Addendum 1 of SEC-00177. 

5.0 Radiological Operations Relevant to the Class Evaluated by 

NIOSH 

The following subsections summarize radiological operations at Vitro Manufacturing that may have 

had a radiological impact on the facility during the AWE operational period, and thus would have 

contributed to worker exposure potential during the portion of the residual radiation period under 

evaluation from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. From available sources, NIOSH has 

gathered process and source descriptions, information regarding the identity and quantities shipments 

of source materials of concern (to and from the site), inventory records, accountability surveys, 

contractual information, waste removal plans and reports, and information describing processes 

through which radiation exposures may have occurred and the physical environment in which they 

may have occurred. The information included within this evaluation report is intended only to be a 

summary of the available information. 

5.1 Vitro Manufacturing Plant and Process Descriptions 

Vitro Manufacturing was located on an l8-acre site on Strabane Avenue in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. 

The plant was built by the Standard Chemical Company. The facility had a total of 22 buildings, 

including a guardhouse, and three chemical storage sheds. The facility was entering shutdown status 

in early 1960, with operational shutdown appearing to be complete in May 1960 (Inspection, 1963, 

pdf p. 3). Clear documentation specifying the size of the workforce during the shuttering period has 

not been located. Limited reports of how many personnel were employed in buildings after the 

release of the site for industrial use are available, but are unverifiable. 
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Domestic ores, African pitchblende, recoverable scrap materials, and Canadian residues were 

processed onsite throughout the history of Vitro Manufacturing. Because the feed materials were 

variable, there were many manual processes that would have resulted in high exposure potential 

during the processing. 

On November 1, 1953, the AEC and Vitro Manufacturing contracted (contracts AT-(30-1)-1683 and 

AT-(30-1)-1241) to process government-owned materials at the Vitro Manufacturing site, thus 

obligating Vitro Manufacturing to store scrap materials and residues from those processes. 

In 1955, the AEC issued Vitro Manufacturing a series of source material licenses to import by-product 

residue material from milling operations conducted at other sites. The milling by-product material 

contained 0.4% - 0.5% U3O8 from Canada (Zugschwerdt, 1981a, pdf p. 10). These residues were 

considered source material for operations at Vitro Manufacturing and are referenced in the internal 

government documentation as the "Port Hope Wastes". Contract No. AT(49-6)-1158 was awarded to 

Vitro Manufacturing for the recovery of the U3O8 from these Port Hope Wastes, but was terminated 

before all residues were processed by Vitro Manufacturing, leaving two stockpiles of residues 

remaining on the Canonsburg site after 1959. One pile consisted of 4,268 dry tons of 0.42% to 0.47% 

U3O8, and the second pile consisted of 85 tons of 1.17% U3O8 and 105 tons of 0.95% U3O8. The 

uranium in this material belonged to the AEC, but Vitro Manufacturing kept it stockpiled onsite in the 

absence of any guidance or instruction from AEC (Contract, 1957, pdf p. 163). Licensing and control 

of this source material was originally the sole responsibility of AEC, but the Pennsylvania Department 

of Health adopted regulations for radiation protection in August, 1961, and subsequently became 

aware of the radioactive residues on the Vitro Manufacturing site. 

Disposition of the material then became problematic for Vitro Manufacturing, which had received 

approval from AEC for a plan to dispose of the material. This disposal was subsequently found to be 

unacceptable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Port Hope Waste remained stored in open 

piles until August, 1965, when it was finally buried in a lagoon on the site (Zugschwerdt, 1981a; 

Murphy, 1964, pdf p. 36). The only mitigation of exposure to radiation or radioactive materials in the 

piles appears to have consisted of installation of a chain link fence around the piles, a guard service 

patrolling the area 24 hours a day, and indications of some wetting of the surfaces to prevent resuspension of particles by wind. Reference documents cite several AEC inspections during this 

period (Zugschwerdt, 1981a; Price, 1963, pdf p. 38; Survey Data, 1963-1964, pdf pp. 62-63, 74), 

indicating the presence of radiation levels and radioactive effluents in excess of the applicable 

standards. NIOSH has been unable to locate the referenced inspection reports. 

5.2 Radiological Exposure Sources from Vitro Manufacturing Operations 

The following subsections provide an overview of the internal and external exposure sources for the 

Vitro Manufacturing class under evaluation. 

5.2.1 Internal Radiological Exposure Sources from Vitro Manufacturing Operations 

Sources of internal exposure included potential intakes of uranium and uranium decay chain 

radionuclides. Operations involved shuttering the process equipment used to separate and concentrate 

the uranium from feed material into U3O8 oxide, and storing and removing ore residues. This includes 

decontamination and decommissioning activities to shut down the building operations, and possible 
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exposure to particulates that might have been re-suspended from the residue piles by wind action 

during the months of 1960 when the facility was actively shutting down. The documentation located 

by NIOSH does not include a description of the shutdown activities or decontamination work 

performed to shutter the facility, nor were interviewees able to provide any detailed information about 

this cleanup period at Vitro Manufacturing. 

 The facility was quiescent from shutdown until 1965 when activities and operations to bury the 

residue piles began and ended. As best NIOSH can determine, the facility was unoccupied during this 

period and there should have been very little potential for internal exposure. However, it is possible 

that some limited security force may have been present at the facility to ensure access control. Such 

individuals would have had potential exposure to windborne particulate including radiological 

materials. 

The project to bury the residue piles likely included survey work for both regulatory reasons and in 

preparation for the remediation work, as well as movement of the piles with heavy equipment 

including bulldozers, and the final burial in the lagoon area. This work would have caused significant 

disturbance of the residue materials, allowing re-suspension of particulates and freeing any trapped 

gasses. These activities would have allowed potential exposure to residual uranium and decay chain 

radionuclides that had been chemically separated from each other and re-concentrated so that they 

were frequently not in equilibrium (the degree of disequilibrium is not identifiable from site records). 

5.2.1.1 Natural Uranium

The principal source of internal exposure to radiological material at Vitro Manufacturing was from the 

inhalation or ingestion of particulates associated with the uranium-bearing residues that had been 

received during the operations period (Strod, Jan 1949, pdf p. 30). Thus, workers were potentially 

exposed to airborne dust from re-suspension of uranium contamination and from direct contact with 

bulk materials. NIOSH does not have enough information to accurately quantify the volume of 

natural uranium at Vitro Manufacturing. 

5.2.1.2 Uranium Progeny

Since Vitro Manufacturing handled and processed uranium ore materials and residues, workers were 

potentially exposed to uranium progeny, which included thorium-230, thorium-232, thorium-238, 

radium-226, protactinium-231, actinium-227, and radon daughters. African ores containing 

significant radium concentrations were also processed at Vitro Manufacturing Canonsburg (NIOSH, 

2008). NIOSH does not have enough information to quantify the uranium progeny.

5.2.2 External Radiological Exposure Sources from Vitro Manufacturing Operations 

Based on a review of the documented activities and potential exposures to source materials, NIOSH 

believes there was the potential for occupational radiological exposures to photons and beta particles 

from radionuclides in the uranium decay chain at Vitro Manufacturing. There are no indications that 

Vitro Manufacturing personnel had any potential for significant exposure to neutrons. 

5.2.2.1 Photon

Photons from uranium are primarily from the thorium-234 daughter of uranium-238 and are in the 

energy range of 30-250 KeV (ORAUT-OTIB-0004). There are higher-energy photons, up to 1.00 
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MeV, from another uranium-238 daughter, protactinium-234m, but the abundance of these photons is 

less than 1% (Rad Handbook, 1970). 

5.2.2.2 Beta

The majority of the beta exposures at Vitro Manufacturing would have resulted from exposure to 

uranium and its decay products. For processed natural uranium, the dominant beta radiation was 

likely due to uranium-238 decay products. In the uranium-series decay scheme, beginning with 

uranium-238, the short-lived isotope protactinium-234 emits the most energetic beta particle (2.28 

MeV). It is this beta particle that accounts for the shallow-dose hazard associated with handling 

uranium scrap and uranium residues. 

5.2.2.3 Neutron

There is no indication of the use of fluorine as a reactant at Vitro Manufacturing, the use of which 

could lead to alpha-neutron reactions producing potential neutron exposure. While there is a 

possibility of neutrons resulting from spontaneous fission by uranium, NIOSH believes there was not 

significant neutron exposure at the site. When necessary, NIOSH utilizes ORAUT-OTIB-0024, which 

provides information normally associated with the expected neutron dose rates from various forms of 

uranium compounds. 

6.0 Summary of Available Monitoring Data for the Class Evaluated 

by NIOSH 

The following subsections provide an overview of the state of the available internal and external 

monitoring data for the Vitro Manufacturing facility. Although all of these results occur outside the 

evaluated period, NIOSH believes it is pertinent to show the data that are available. 

6.1 Available Vitro Manufacturing Internal Monitoring Data 

No bioassay results for the period 1960 through 1965 were expected or found by NIOSH for Vitro 

Manufacturing. Additionally, NIOSH has not located any air monitoring results, either particulate or 

radon gas monitoring, for the period under evaluation. 

NIOSH has obtained documentation of radon monitoring performed by Oak Ridge National 

Laboratory in 1977 (Haywood, 1977) and in 1978 and 1979 by the Environmental Measurements 

Laboratory (Radon Results, 1979-1980). 

6.2 Available Vitro Manufacturing External Monitoring Data 

There are no external whole-body dosimetry data available to NIOSH for the Vitro Manufacturing 

period under evaluation, January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. Comprehensive whole-body 

dosimetry records end for Vitro Manufacturing workers in 1954. 

NIOSH has limited radiation survey data taken at the facility in 1963 and 1964 (Survey Data, 1963-

1964). Analytical results of soil, water, and vegetation samples collected in 1963 provide 
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concentrations of uranium-238, radium-226, and thorium-230 in microcuries/gram. A survey in 1964 

yielded 328 beta/gamma survey results in Buildings 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, and the guard 

building (Survey Data, 1963-1964, pdf pp. 64-72). The maximum beta/gamma reading at 1 cm was 

0.5 mr/hr and the average was 0.13 mr/hr (Harmon, 1966, pdf. p. 20). While NIOSH has not located 

any radiation survey data taken during the 1965 transfer and burial of the residue piles, NIOSH does 

have access to the 1965 “close-out” survey performed by Allied-Crossroads following the removal of 

the waste piles. The 1965 survey consisted of 475 survey points in the area of the burial of the residue 

piles with an average survey reading of 0.062 mr/hr and no points exceeding 0.5 mr/hr; and 701 

survey points in the plant area with an average survey reading of 0.17 mr/hr (Allied-Crossroads, 1965, 

pdf p. 29). 

7.0 Feasibility of Dose Reconstruction for the Class Evaluated by 

NIOSH 

The feasibility determination for the class of employees under evaluation in this report is governed by 

both EEOICPA and 42 C.F.R. § 83.13(c)(1). Under that Act and rule, NIOSH must establish whether 

or not it has access to sufficient information either to estimate the maximum radiation dose for every 

type of cancer for which radiation doses are reconstructed that could have been incurred under 

plausible circumstances by any member of the class, or to estimate the radiation doses to members of 

the class more precisely than a maximum dose estimate. If NIOSH has access to sufficient 

information for either case, NIOSH would then determine that it would be feasible to conduct dose 

reconstructions. 

In determining feasibility, NIOSH begins by evaluating whether current or completed NIOSH dose 

reconstructions demonstrate the feasibility of estimating with sufficient accuracy the potential 

radiation exposures of the class. If the conclusion is one of infeasibility, NIOSH systematically 

evaluates the sufficiency of different types of monitoring data, process and source or source term data, 

which together or individually might assure that NIOSH can estimate either the maximum doses that 

members of the class might have incurred, or more precise quantities that reflect the variability of 

exposures experienced by groups or individual members of the class. This approach is discussed in 

DCAS’s SEC Petition Evaluation Internal Procedures which are available at 

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ocas. The next four major subsections of this Evaluation Report examine: 

• The sufficiency and reliability of the available data. (Section 7.1) 

• The feasibility of reconstructing internal radiation doses. (Section 7.2) 

• The feasibility of reconstructing external radiation doses. (Section 7.3) 

• The bases for petition SEC-00177 as submitted by the petitioner. (Section 7.4) 
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7.1 Pedigree of Vitro Manufacturing Data 

This subsection answers questions that need to be asked before performing a feasibility evaluation. 

Data Pedigree addresses the background, history, and origin of the data. It requires looking at site 

methodologies that may have changed over time; primary versus secondary data sources and whether 

they match; and whether data are internally consistent. All these issues form the bedrock of the 

researcher’s confidence and later conclusions about the data’s quality, credibility, reliability, 

representativeness, and sufficiency for determining the feasibility of dose reconstruction. The 

feasibility evaluation presupposes that data pedigree issues have been settled. 

7.1.1 Internal Monitoring Data Pedigree Review 

NIOSH has been unable to locate internal monitoring data for Vitro Manufacturing workers for the 

period of this evaluation, January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. Neither bioassay monitoring 

results nor contamination survey results are available for Vitro Manufacturing during the evaluated 

period; therefore, an internal data sufficiency and pedigree evaluation is not possible for this data type. 

7.1.2 External Monitoring Data Pedigree Review 

NIOSH has been unable to locate personnel external monitoring records for Vitro Manufacturing 

workers for the period of this evaluation, January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. Neither film 

badge results nor area monitoring results are available for Vitro Manufacturing during the evaluated 

period; therefore, an external data sufficiency and pedigree evaluation is not possible for this data 

type. 

7.2 Evaluation of Bounding Internal Radiation Doses at Vitro Manufacturing 

The principal sources of internal radiation doses for members of the class under evaluation were from 

contamination due to uranium and uranium progeny. The following subsections address the ability to 

bound internal doses, methods for bounding doses, and the feasibility of internal dose reconstruction. 

7.2.1 Evaluation of Bounding Residual Radiation Period Internal Doses 

NIOSH has found no indications that bioassay measurements were collected for the period under 

evaluation. NIOSH has found no air monitoring data for the 1960 through 1965 period. The 

buildings of Vitro Manufacturing were decontaminated according to interviews with former workers, 

but the interviewees were unable to provide any detail regarding the decontamination procedures. 

However, it can be assumed that decontamination work would have created potential exposure to 

respirable uranium materials and progeny that had been entrained in equipment and deposited on 

surfaces. Without any further information regarding the decontamination efforts, NIOSH cannot 

make any assumptions regarding what workers may have been exposed to, or what degree they may 

have been exposed to airborne radiological materials during these operations. 

The facility was reported to have no Vitro workers after the shutdown of Vitro operations in 1960. 

This statement is supported by a review of the claimant files, which shows eight workers with a work 

history in the period being evaluated. Of those eight former workers, none had any work history 

beyond June 30, 1960. From July 1960 until remediation activities began in 1965, the facility seems 
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to have been shuttered and unoccupied with only occasional access for regulatory reasons. A survey 

was performed in April 1964 (Survey Data, 1963-1964, pdf p. 62). The Pennsylvania Department of 

Health, Division of Occupational Health then released the buildings and grounds for occupancy 

(Lieban, 1964). There are no reports of any work being performed at the facility during this 

timeframe (July 1960 through 1965) and no indications of any disturbances that would impact any 

exposures until the work to transfer and bury the residue piles began. 

Activities associated with the August 1965 transfer and burial of the residue piles are not well 

documented. These activities would likely have included survey and preparatory work. The actual 

burial of the residue piles would disturb the material and have a high potential for re-suspension of 

radiological materials in the residues. Without monitoring data and significantly more information 

about the parameters of potential exposure, NIOSH cannot verify that an upper limit for uranium and 

progeny concentrations during the period under review at the Vitro Manufacturing facilities could be 

determined. The remediation of the waste pile and lagoon areas was completed by September 30, 

1965, per a health physics survey report from Allied-Crossroads (Allied-Crossroads, 1965). 

NIOSH has not identified sufficient documentation to define and quantify the total internal source 

term for Vitro Manufacturing during the period under evaluation, January 1, 1960 through September 

30, 1965. Without additional documentation, NIOSH cannot make assumptions about the relative 

amounts of materials that would have been encountered at the site during the evaluated period. 

Therefore, there is insufficient source term information available to NIOSH to bound internal 

exposures for the period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. 

7.2.2 Methods for Bounding Internal Dose at Vitro Manufacturing 

NIOSH has determined that it lacks sufficient bioassay, workplace monitoring, and source term data 

needed to bound internal doses that Vitro Manufacturing workers potentially received from natural 

uranium and uranium progeny. Therefore, NIOSH has not identified a method for bounding internal 

doses at Vitro Manufacturing for the period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965.

For the period beginning October 1, 1965, following the burial of the residue piles, NIOSH has 

surveys from 1977 (ORNL, 1977; Leggett, 1977) providing air concentrations for particulates and 

radon. The air concentrations are used in conjunction with a derived source term decay rate to 

estimate internal exposures during the residual radiation period. Estimates of the isotopic ratios of the 

alpha mixture can be made using the radionuclide mix for the maximum total alpha air sample in 

1977. Using these air concentrations rates, decay rate, and isotopic ratios, NIOSH has calculated 

exposure rates for the residual radiation period through 1985. 

For periods after the burial of the residue piles, NIOSH calculates the ingestion intake rates for Vitro 

Manufacturing based on guidance in Technical Information Bulletin: Estimation of Ingestion Intakes

(OCAS-TIB-009). 

7.2.3 Internal Dose Reconstruction Feasibility Conclusion 

NIOSH has established that it does not have access to sufficient information to bound internal doses 

that Vitro Manufacturing workers potentially received during the period from January 1, 1960 through 

September 30, 1965. 
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Although NIOSH found that it is not possible to completely reconstruct internal radiation doses for the 

period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965, NIOSH intends to use any internal 

monitoring data that may become available for an individual claim (and that can be interpreted using 

existing NIOSH dose reconstruction processes or procedures). Dose reconstructions for individuals 

employed at Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) during the period from January 1, 1960 through 

September 30, 1965, but who do not qualify for inclusion in the SEC, may be performed using these 

data as appropriate. 

7.3 Evaluation of Bounding External Radiation Doses at Vitro Manufacturing 

The principal source of external radiation doses for members of the evaluated class was uranium and 

uranium progeny found in the uranium-bearing residues and wastes located on the property. 

Contaminated facilities and equipment would pose an external exposure hazard inside the buildings, 

while exposure to the waste storage piles and the contaminated soil would contribute to radiation 

exposure outside the buildings. The following subsections address the ability to bound external doses, 

methods for bounding doses, and the feasibility of external dose reconstruction. 

7.3.1 Evaluation of Bounding Residual Radiation Period External Doses 

NIOSH has been unable to locate any individual external monitoring data for the period evaluated in 

this report, January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. NIOSH has access to limited radiological 

source term information associated with uranium bearing residues, but no specific information 

regarding the isotopic assay of the material. NIOSH has been unable to locate any records of 

radiological surveys done during the transfer and/or burial of the residues at Vitro Manufacturing. 

7.3.2 Vitro Manufacturing Occupational X-Ray Examinations 

Doses received from occupational medical X-rays are not considered part of the source term for the 

residual radiation period; therefore, medical doses were not evaluated. 

7.3.3 Methods for Bounding External Dose at Vitro Manufacturing 

NIOSH has determined that it lacks sufficient personnel monitoring data, area monitoring data, or 

source term data needed to characterize and bound external doses that Vitro Manufacturing workers 

potentially received from natural uranium and uranium progeny. Therefore, NIOSH has not identified 

a method for bounding external doses at Vitro Manufacturing for the period from January 1, 1960 

through September 30, 1965, by which time the residues were buried onsite. 

After the residue piles were buried, for the period beginning October 1, 1965, NIOSH can use surveys 

from 1964 (Allied-Crossroads, 1965, pdf p. 28; Survey Data, 1963-1964, pdf p. 62) and 1977 (ORNL, 

1977; Leggett, 1977) to estimate external exposures during the residual radiation period. 

Interpolations are performed per guidance provided in the Technical Information Bulletin: Dose 

Reconstruction During Residual Radioactivity Periods at Atomic Weapons Employer Facilities

(ORAUT-OTIB-0070) to estimate exposure rates. The maximum ambient waist-level exposure rates 

shown in the surveys are 0.5 mR/hour in 1964 and 0.31 mR/hour in 1977.
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7.3.4 External Dose Reconstruction Feasibility Conclusion 

NIOSH has established that it does not have access to sufficient information to bound external doses 

that Vitro Manufacturing workers potentially received during the period from January 1, 1960 through 

September 30, 1965. 

Although NIOSH found that it is not possible to completely reconstruct external radiation doses for 

the period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965, NIOSH intends to use any external 

monitoring data that may become available for an individual claim (and that can be interpreted using 

existing NIOSH dose reconstruction processes or procedures). Dose reconstructions for individuals 

employed at Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) during the period from January 1, 1960 through 

September 30, 1965, but who do not qualify for inclusion in the SEC, may be performed using these 

data as appropriate. 

7.4 Evaluation of Petition Basis for SEC-00177 Addendum 1 

The assertions made on behalf of petition SEC-00177 for Vitro Manufacturing were evaluated and 

responded to in the initial SEC-00177 Evaluation Report for the period from January 1, 1958 through 

December 31, 1959 (NIOSH, 2011). The following subsections evaluate the assertions made on 

behalf of petition SEC-00177 for Vitro Manufacturing relative to the period January 1, 1960 through 

September 30, 1965, being evaluated herein. 

7.4.1 Monitoring Inadequacies 

Assertion: The SEC-00177 petitioner stated that radiation exposures and therefore radiation doses 

potentially incurred by members of the proposed class that relate to this petition were not monitored, 

either through personal or area monitoring. 

Response: Personal monitoring and/or area monitoring results are not always absolutely necessary to 

develop an exposure model for a given facility. However, if these monitoring data are not available 

NIOSH must have access to source term information and detailed process information in order to 

develop a sufficiently accurate exposure model. NIOSH has determined that, to date, it does not have 

adequate internal or external monitoring data for members of the proposed class, nor does it have 

enough source term or process information applicable to the class to develop a sufficiently accurate 

model for the Vitro Manufacturing facility during the evaluated time period from January 1, 1960 

through September 30, 1965. 

7.4.2 Working Conditions After 1957 

Assertion: The SEC-00177 petitioner stated that the same working conditions that resulted in the 

inability to reconstruct doses for the AWE operations period existed after December 31, 1957. 

Response: NIOSH conducted interviews with seven contemporaneous former workers in an attempt to 

understand the working conditions after 1957 at the Vitro Manufacturing site in Canonsburg, 

Pennsylvania. While most were unsure of specific contractual details regarding the purpose and scope 

of the work conducted after 1957, the interviews did present a consistent picture of unchanging 

operations under the AEC contract, which was terminated in 1959. No information specific to 1960 
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was recalled by the interviewees. With the termination of the AEC contract, it is likely that activities 

were aimed toward the imminent shutdown of the plant in 1960. NIOSH understands workers were 

not on site from May 1960 until remediation preparations began in 1965. 

7.5 Summary of Feasibility Findings for Petition SEC-00177 Addendum 1 

This report evaluates the feasibility for completing dose reconstructions for employees at Vitro 

Manufacturing from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. NIOSH found that the available 

monitoring records, process descriptions and source term data available are not adequate to complete 

sufficiently accurate dose reconstructions for the evaluated class of employees. 

Table 7-1 summarizes the results of the feasibility findings at Vitro Manufacturing for each exposure 

source during the time period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965. 

Table 7-1: Summary of Feasibility Findings for SEC-00177 Addendum 1 

January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965 

Source of Exposure Reconstruction Feasible Reconstruction Not Feasible 

Internal1 X 

 - Natural Uranium X 

 - Uranium Progeny X 

External2 X 

 - Gamma X 

 - Beta X

 - Neutron N/A N/A 

 - Occupational Medical X-ray N/A N/A 

PARTIAL DOSE RECONSTRUCTION INFORMATION: 

1

 INTERNAL: Only personal monitoring data should be used to reconstruct an individual’s internal exposure at Vitro 

Manufacturing during these time periods because there are insufficient data to characterize the work to transfer and bury 

the residue piles or any other cleanup work. Unmonitored internal exposures during this time period cannot be 

reconstructed. 

2

 EXTERNAL: Only personal monitoring data should be used to reconstruct an individual’s external exposure at Vitro 

Manufacturing during these time periods because there are insufficient data to characterize the work to transfer and bury 

the residue piles or any other cleanup work. Unmonitored external exposures during this time period cannot be 

reconstructed. 

As of June 1, 2011, a total of 8 claims have been submitted to NIOSH for individuals who worked at 

Vitro Manufacturing during the period under evaluation in this report. Dose reconstructions have 

been completed for 7 individuals, and 1 claim was pulled because of the SEC designation associated 

with SEC-00134. 

Although NIOSH found that it is not possible to completely reconstruct radiation doses for the 

proposed class, NIOSH intends to use any internal and external monitoring data that may become 
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available for an individual claim (and that can be interpreted using existing NIOSH dose 

reconstruction processes or procedures). Therefore, dose reconstructions for individuals employed at 

Vitro Manufacturing during the period from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965, but who do 

not qualify for inclusion in the SEC, may be performed using these data as appropriate. 

8.0 Evaluation of Health Endangerment for Petition SEC-00177 

Addendum 1 

The health endangerment determination for the class of employees covered by this evaluation report is 

governed by both EEOICPA and 42 C.F.R. § 83.13(c)(3). Under these requirements, if it is not 

feasible to estimate with sufficient accuracy radiation doses for members of the class, NIOSH must 

also determine that there is a reasonable likelihood that such radiation doses may have endangered the 

health of members of the class. Section 83.13 requires NIOSH to assume that any duration of 

unprotected exposure may have endangered the health of members of a class when it has been 

established that the class may have been exposed to radiation during a discrete incident likely to have 

involved levels of exposure similarly high to those occurring during nuclear criticality incidents. If 

the occurrence of such an exceptionally high-level exposure has not been established, then NIOSH is 

required to specify that health was endangered for those workers who were employed for a number of 

work days aggregating at least 250 work days within the parameters established for the class or in 

combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of 

employees in the SEC. 

NIOSH’s evaluation determined that it is not feasible to estimate radiation dose for members of the 

NIOSH-evaluated class with sufficient accuracy based on the sum of information available from 

available resources. Therefore, the resulting NIOSH-proposed SEC class must include a minimum 

required employment period as a basis for specifying that health was endangered. NIOSH has 

determined that members of the class were not exposed to radiation during a discrete incident likely to 

have involved levels of exposure similarly high to those occurring during nuclear criticality incidents. 

However, the evidence reviewed in this evaluation indicates that some workers in the class may have 

accumulated chronic radiation exposures through intakes of uranium and progeny, as well as from 

direct exposure to radioactive materials. Consequently, NIOSH is specifying that health was 

endangered for those workers covered by this evaluation who were employed for a number of work 

days aggregating at least 250 work days within the parameters established for this class or in 

combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of 

employees in the SEC. 

9.0 Class Conclusion for Petition SEC-00177 Addendum 1 

Based on its complete research of the class under evaluation, NIOSH has defined a single class of 

employees for which NIOSH cannot estimate radiation doses with sufficient accuracy. The NIOSHproposed class to be added to the SEC includes all Atomic Weapons Employees who worked at Vitro 

Manufacturing in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, from January 1, 1960 through September 30, 1965, for a 

number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this 

employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more 

other classes of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort. 
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NIOSH has carefully reviewed all material sent in by the petitioner, including the specific assertions 

stated in the petition. NIOSH has also reviewed available technical resources and many other 

references, including the SRDB, for information relevant to SEC-00177. In addition, NIOSH 

reviewed its NOCTS dose reconstruction database to identify EEOICPA-related dose reconstructions 

that might provide information relevant to the petition evaluation. 

These actions are based on existing, approved NIOSH processes used in dose reconstruction for 

claims under EEOICPA. NIOSH’s guiding principle in conducting these dose reconstructions is to 

ensure that the assumptions used are fair, consistent, and well-grounded in the best available science. 

Simultaneously, uncertainties in the science and data must be handled to the advantage, rather than to 

the detriment, of the petitioners. When adequate personal dose monitoring information is not 

available, or is very limited, NIOSH may use the highest reasonably possible radiation dose, based on 

reliable science, documented experience, and relevant data to determine the feasibility of 

reconstructing the dose of an SEC petition class. NIOSH contends that it has complied with these 

standards of performance in determining the feasibility or infeasibility of reconstructing dose for the 

class under evaluation. 
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10.0 References 

42 C.F.R. pt. 81, Guidelines for Determining the Probability of Causation Under the Energy 

Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000; Final Rule, Federal 

Register/Vol. 67, No. 85/Thursday, p. 22,296; May 2, 2002; SRDB Ref ID: 19391 

42 C.F.R. pt. 82, Methods for Radiation Dose Reconstruction Under the Energy Employees 

Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000; Final Rule; May 2, 2002; SRDB Ref ID: 

19392 

42 C.F.R. pt. 83, Procedures for Designating Classes of Employees as Members of the Special 

Exposure Cohort Under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 

2000; Final Rule; May 28, 2004; SRDB Ref ID: 22001 

42 U.S.C. §§ 7384-7385 [EEOICPA], Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation 

Program Act of 2000, as amended 

Affidavit, 2002, Affidavit from Laboratory Technician; July 2, 2002; OSA Ref ID: 112176, pdf p. 10

Affidavit, 2010, Affidavit from Laboratory Technician; July 6, 2010; OSA Ref ID: 112176, pdf p. 1 

Allied-Crossroads, 1965, Health Physics Survey of Vitro’s Former Rare Metals Plant Canonsburg, 

Pennsylvania; Allied-Crossroads Nuclear Corporation (Allied-Crossroads); September 30, 1965; 

SRDB Ref ID: 16413, pdf pp. 28-30 

Contract, 1957, Contract No. AT(49-6)-1158 Amendment No. 1; November 20, 1957; SRDB Ref ID: 

10288, pdf pp. 162-167 

DCAS-PR-004, Internal Procedures for the Evaluation of Special Exposure Cohort Petitions, Rev. 1, 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); Cincinnati, Ohio; April 15, 2011; 

SRDB Ref ID: 94768 

DHHS, 2009, HHS Designation of Additional Members of the Special Exposure Cohort under the 

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act for Vitro Manufacturing 

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); January 16, 2009; 

SRDB Ref ID: 90591 

DHHS, 2011, HHS Designation of Additional Members of the Special Exposure Cohort under the 

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act for Vitro Manufacturing 

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania; Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); April 29, 2011; 

SRDB Ref ID: 97800 

DOL, 2011a, Evidence of Years of Coverage for Vitro Manufacturing Require Revision, 

correspondence to Patricia R. Worthington, Department of Energy; Rachel P. Leiton, Department of 

Labor (DOL), Director of the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation; 

January 19, 2011; SRDB Ref ID: 91671 
SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

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DOL, 2011b, Covered Time Period for Vitro Manufacturing in Canonsburg to be Revised to Cover 

1942 - 1959, correspondence to Stuart Hinnefeld, Division of Compensation Analysis and Support; 

Rachel P. Leiton, Department of Labor (DOL), Director of the Division of Energy Employees 

Occupational Illness Compensation; January 19, 2011; SRDB Ref ID: 91672 

Form B, 2010, Petition Form B for SEC-00177 with Attached Site Summary Documents; received on 

July 14, 2010; OSA Ref ID: 112176, pdf pp. 2-9, 11-13 

Harmon, 1966, Termination of License No. SUC-315, Vitro Corporation of America, Canonsburg 

Facility, Docket No. 40-6500, memo to files; Don F. Harmon; February 14, 1966; SRDB Ref ID: 

16413, pdf pp. 20-24 

Haywood, 1977, Information Supplementary to Preliminary Report of Radon and Radon Daughter 

Measurements at the Former Vitro Rare Metals Plant, correspondence to H. W. Dickson; F. F. 

Haywood; May 11, 1977; SRDB Ref ID: 16419 

Inspection, 1963, Excerpts of a Document Noting Non-Compliance Issues Based on a 1963 Inspection 

at the Canonsburg Site; report based on 1963 inspection; SRDB Ref ID: 79085 

Leggett, 1977, Radiological Survey of the Former Vitro Rare Metals Plant, Canonsburg, 

Pennsylvania, Phase II; R. W. Leggett, C. J. Barton, R. E. Hamilton, W. D. Cottrell, M. T. Ryan, and 

F. F. Haywood; November 11, 1977; SRDB Ref ID: 16460 

Lieban, 1964, Vitro Rare Metals Plant Decontaminated to Allow Occupancy, correspondence to Mr. 

Curran; Jan Lieban, Division of Occupational Health; April 24, 1964; SRDB Ref ID: 16413, pdf p. 74 

Murphy, 1964, Health Physics Survey of Vitro’s Former Rare Metals Plant; John D. Murphy; March 

19, 1964; SRDB Ref ID: 16413, pdf pp. 35-36 

NIOSH, 2008, SEC Petition Evaluation Report for Petition SEC-00134, Vitro Manufacturing 

(Canonsburg); National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); December 9, 2008; 

SRDB Ref ID: 89402 

NIOSH, 2011, SEC Petition Evaluation Report for Petition SEC-00177, Vitro Manufacturing 

(Canonsburg); National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); February 4, 2011; 

SRDB Ref ID: 97774 

OCAS-TIB-009, Estimation of Ingestion Intakes, Rev. 0; Office of Compensation Analysis and 

Support (OCAS); April 13, 2004; SRDB Ref ID: 22397 

ORAUT-OTIB-0004, Estimating the Maximum Plausible Dose to Workers at Atomic Weapons 

Employer Facilities, Rev. 03 PC-2; ORAU Team Dose Reconstruction Project for NIOSH; December 

6, 2006; SRDB Ref ID: 36191 

ORAUT-OTIB-0024, Estimation of Neutron Dose Rates from Alpha-Neutron Reactions in Uranium 

and Thorium Compounds, Rev. 00; ORAU Team Dose Reconstruction Project for NIOSH; April 7, 

2005; SRDB Ref ID: 19445 
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ORAUT-OTIB-0070, Dose Reconstruction During Residual Radioactivity Periods at Atomic 

Weapons Employer Facilities, Rev. 00; ORAU Team Dose Reconstruction Project for NIOSH; March 

10, 2008; SRDB Ref ID: 41603 

ORNL, 1977, Final Report Radiological Survey of the Former Vitro Rare Metals Plant Canonsburg, 

Pennsylvania, Phase I; Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); April 1977; SRDB Ref ID: 16417 

Petition Supplement, 2010, Supplemental Information for SEC-00177 Petition; August 14, 2010; OSA 

Ref ID: 112455 

Price, 1963, Correspondence Regarding Inspections; Eber R. Price; May 2, 1963; SRDB Ref ID: 

16413, pdf pp. 38-40 

Rad Handbook, 1970, Radiological Health Handbook, Revised Edition; compiled and edited by the 

Bureau of Radiological Health and the Training Institute Environmental Control Administration; 

January 1970; SRDB Ref ID: 75017 

Radon Results, 1979-1980, Vitro Radon Reports and Monitoring Results; Various dates ranging from 

September 25, 1979 through November 7, 1980; SRDB Ref ID: 42181 

Strod, Jan 1949, Report on Extraction of Uranium from Slags and Ore; A. J. Strod, H. Fleck, and G. 

Rennich; January 1949; SRDB Ref ID: 10290, pp. 29-46 

Survey Data, 1963-1964, Correspondence and Survey Data for Dates throughout 1963-1964; SRDB 

Ref ID: 16413, pdf pp. 62-79 

Zugschwerdt, 1981a, Narrative Summary of Facts Relevant to Liability of Former Operators or Site 

Owners for Cleanup Expenses for UMTRCA Remedial Action Site at Canonsburg, PA (Taken from 

DOE and NRC Documents); David W. Zugschwerdt; June 18, 1981; SRDB Ref ID: 78537, pdf pp. 3-

28 

Zugschwerdt, 1981b, Review for Factual Accuracy of Enclosed Narrative Summary of Documents 

Extracted from DOE Contract Files, correspondence to Steven Miller; David W. Zugschwerdt; 

October 1, 1981; SRDB Ref ID: 10288, pdf pp. 287-312
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SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 V

Attachment One: Data Capture Synopsis 

Table A1-1: Summary of Holdings in the SRDB for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Data Capture Information Data Capture Description Co

Primary Site/Company Name: Vitro 

Manufacturing Other Site Names: Vitro Rare Metals Co. 

Successor History:

GEC merged with British Aerospace to form BAE Systems in 1999 (Contact: [Name Redacted], [Phone Number Redacted]) General Electric Company - 1998 Merged with TAS formed Tracor Systems Technologies -1993 Tracor Applied Sciences - 1993 Penn Central Corporation - 1981 Renamed to GK Technologies - 1978 General Cable Corporation - 1978 Automation Industries - 1968 Vitro Manufacturing Company Physical size of the site:

The Vitro Manufacturing site itself occupied 19 acres. The FUSRAP surveys of vicinity properties expanded the impacted area to 34 acres. Size of the workforce:

Site worker population data are somewhat spotty. In January 1953 the company had 86 employees. A total of 161 people worked at Vitro Manufacturing during the Manhattan Engineer District period, although not all simultaneously. In February 1948, 60 film badges were issued to the company. In December 1955, 59 workers were monitored for radiation exposure. New York Operations Office surveys of Vitro Manufacturing noted 

BAE Systems, successor company, Legal Counsel confirmed that a search of records and archives had been performed and that no information relating to any Vitro site had been found. No relevant data located. 

02

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SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 V

Table A1-1: Summary of Holdings in the SRDB for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Data Capture Information Data Capture Description 

Co

55, 64, and 50 exposed employees in 1949, 1951, and 1959 respectively. State Contacted: PA Office Bureau of Radiation Protection 

No relevant data identified. 02

Department of Labor/Paragon Lake Ontario Ordnance Works (LOOW) reports which identify Vitro 

residues, FUSRAP briefing material, a requirement to keep radiological support trailers out of elevated background areas, Tonawanda Sub-Office reports which discuss Vitro residues. 

01

DOE Environmental Measurements Laboratory/Health And Safety Laboratory 

Site visits, annual report, thorium sampling and storage, and symposium V on aerosols. 

03

DOE Germantown NYOO uranium operations flow chart, monthly field report, radiological 

surveys, air sampling and radon in breath exposure data, biological effects of radioactivity near plant, reports documenting Vitro as an AEC uranium supplier, miscellaneous letters, memos and lists, and an accident report. 

01

DOE Hanford Scrap shipments to Vitro and 1953 and 1954 SF Material accountability 

reports. 

11

DOE Legacy Management - Grand Junction Office 

Tonawanda area Sub-Office and Niagara Frontier Atomic Weapons Employer reports which discuss Vitro residues and scrap, shipments of scrap to Vitro, residue and scrap processing at Vitro, site visits, dose rate surveys, film badge results, air sample results, contract documents, process descriptions, radiological environmental surveys, Canonsburg litigation documents, radon monitoring, Cleveland area Vitro reports, 1953 site decontamination, monthly production reports, engineering assessments, vicinity property surveys, FUSRAP documents, radon mitigation, UMTRA reports, US NRC comments and reviews of remediation plans and reports, draft environmental impact statement and comments, public and project meeting notes, contract flow charts, documentation of uranium produced for sale to Britain, and remedial action plan documents. 

03

DOE Legacy Management - Grand Junction Office/SC&A 

A 1947 summary of uranium producers and their processes. 01

DOE Legacy Management - Morgantown A 1951 summary of uranium production, LOOW surveys which mention 

ore received from Vitro, interim soil limits for D&D projects, a report of a 

contract for Vitro to process sodium diurante, and summary lists of uranium production sites. 

02

DOE Legacy Management - MoundView (Fernald Holdings, includes Fernald Legal Database) 

Radon monitoring plan and results, film badge correspondence, HP and operating procedures, Th-230 air samples, environmental TLD's, urinalysis results, radiological survey of the former Vitro Rare Metals Plant, NYOO health and safety field activities reports, production of uranium feed 

05

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SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 V

Table A1-1: Summary of Holdings in the SRDB for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Data Capture Information Data Capture Description 

Co

materials, project management plan for remedial action, designation of vicinity properties, and an annual report. 

DOE Oak Ridge Operations, Records Holdings Task Group Vault 

1944-1945 work reports with exposure monitoring data, proposal to build an ore storage building, and a 2002 NIOSH reconnaissance report. 

12

DOE Oak Ridge Operations, Records Holdings Task Group Vault/SC&A 

Film badge results for 1952. 12

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information 

Mallinckrodt reports which mentions the assays performed on Vitro ore for non-radioactive contaminants and the production of uranium metal form Vitro feeds. 

02

DOE Savannah River Site 1962 and 1963 thorium reports which discuss thorium metal received from 

Vitro. 

08

[Name Redacted] via NIOSH A 1984 list of documents produced for litigation regarding Vitro. 01Federal Records Center - Kansas City Weekly Manhattan Engineer District reports, late 1942 and 1946. 08Internet - Amazon.com 1st of a Kind WMD's etc, a history of Vitro and Kellex. 11Internet - Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource (CEDR) 

No relevant data identified. 03

Internet - Division of Compensation and Analysis Support 

Department of Health and Human Services notice documenting the addition of a class of Vitro workers to the Special Exposure Cohort. 

11

Internet - DOE Hanford Declassified Document Retrieval System (DDRS) 

Trip report on uranium scrap processing at the Vitro Manufacturing Co., Canonsburg, PA. 

09

Internet - DOE Health Safety and Security Worker Advocacy Site 

Site description. 01

Internet - DOE Legacy Management Considered Sites 

Canonsburg disposal site fact sheet, long-term site surveillance plans, and a Tonawanda area progress report which documents the shipment of a ball mill and dust collector to Vitro. 

10

Internet - DOE OpenNet 1949 NYOO monthly status and progress reports, the Manhattan District 

History, Book I, Volume 7, and Linking Legacies Appendix B. 

01

Internet - DOE OSTI Energy Citations A 1949 Hanford monthly report that documents the shipment of 19 tons of 

uranium oxide to Vitro, a report on uranium extraction with organic solvents, and a report on the problems of leaching uraniferous slag. Note: 1 document was added by site association review and 1 document was added as part of the capture of formerly non-publicly available records. 

02

Internet - DOE OSTI Information Bridge Monthly report, UMTRA Project water sampling plan, engineering 

feasibility analysis for in-situ stabilization of residues, proceedings of a decontamination conference, UMTRA annual reports to stakeholders, a risk assessment of ground water contamination, and reports on the problems of leaching uraniferous slag and refining uraniferous residues. Note: 21 documents were added as part of the capture of formerly non-publicly 

12

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SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 V

Table A1-1: Summary of Holdings in the SRDB for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Data Capture Information Data Capture Description 

Co

available records. 

Internet - Google Poisoned workers and places: part 2/3, Canonsburg site descriptions and 

histories, an epidemiological study, news stories, and an analysis of institutional responsibilities for the long-term management of contaminant isolation facilities. Note: 1 document was added by site association review. 

10

Internet - HP Journal No relevant data identified. 10Internet - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 

No relevant data identified. 10

Internet - National Academies Press (NAP) No relevant data identified. 03Internet - National Archives No relevant data identified. 01Internet - National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) - Nevada Site Office 

No relevant data identified. 03

Internet - NRC Agencywide Document Access and Management (ADAMS) 

Canonsburg ground water concentrations, request for NRC approval to delete institutional controls, prelicensing and annual inspections, data validation packages, proposals for erosion control and stream bank stabilization, long term surveillance plans, ground water contaminant concentrations, a radiological release survey plan, and a final generic environmental impact statement for uranium mills. Note: 1 document was added by site association review. 

01

Internet - NRC Agencywide Document Access and Management (ADAMS) Public Library 

A 1994 report which discusses the removal of residues, NRC comments on an erosion control plan, and a notice of the issuance of a license for longterm care of the Canonsburg site. 

10

Internet - Washington State University (United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries) 

No relevant data identified. 03

Missouri Department of Natural Resources Historical storage of radioactive material and a final environmental impact 

statement. 

10

National Archives and Records Administration - Atlanta 

Film badge results, radon breath measurements, air samples and radon data, gamma radiation at Vitro, Vitro contract AT(30-1)-1241 (1951), 1949 and1950 trip reports, reports and correspondence on uranium ore, receipts of scrap at Vitro, pitchblende processing, polonium production, and periodic progress reports. 

06

National Archives and Records Administration - College Park 

1948 weekly film badge report, 1951 Kellex report which discusses recovery of uranium from process residues, 1948 memo regarding the markings on a new film badge design, flow chart of NYOO uranium operations, listings of records box contents, material balance summary reports, and a reviewer's notes from a College Park data capture. 

09

National Archives and Records Administration - Kansas City 

Radiation surveys, waste disposal, solid waste treatment, disposal of uranium bearing residues, radiological survey plan, close out survey, 

08

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SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 V

Table A1-1: Summary of Holdings in the SRDB for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Data Capture Information Data Capture Description 

Co

survey of buildings #14 and #16, environmental radiation surveys, radon monitoring data, phase II radiological survey, radiological survey of the former Vitro Rare Metals Plant, and an evaluation of radiation exposures. 

NIOSH Department of Labor letters extending the covered period to 1959. 01NOCTS Claim file CATI extracts with: brief job/process description for filter press 

operator, ore process, Belgium Congo material process, Canadian ore processing description, site date information, list of most hazardous positions, cubic yards of onsite uranium, newspaper clippings and site timeline, DOE radiological survey memo, newspaper clipping with amount of contaminated waste buried onsite, and other claimant documents to support Vitro work post-1957. 

01

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) 

Non-Publicly Available documents 

No relevant data identified. 03

ORAU Team Project spreadsheet, monitoring data, a Mallinckrodt Technical Basis 

Document which refers to Vitro as a source of feeds and a processor of scrap, documented communications with process knowledge sources, and Petition SEC 0177 Evaluation Report. 

05

ORAU Vault A 1959 letter which states that Vitro had 50 monitored employees, uranium 

dust exposure information, and radiation contamination data. 

10

SAIC A 1967 AEC exposure summary. 09SC&A A 1947 summary of uranium producers and their processes. 06Unknown Air dust samples, film badge reports, medical records, monthly status and 

progress reports, NYOO Health and Safety Division monthly reports of field activities, radiological survey of the former Vitro Rare Metals Plant in Canonsburg, alpha smears, summary of Manhattan Project, uranium flow sheet, safety evaluations, Vitro correspondence, material transactions with other sites, NYOO Medical Division health hazards report, and urinalysis reports. 

09

Unknown/SC&A Merits of keeping dosimetry badges on site, film badge reports and 

correspondence, and process and hazard descriptions. 

06

US Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District A 1950 report with limits on unaccounted losses at Vitro and other 

facilities. 

06

US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District North County uranium residues historical synopsis, St. Louis, MO, which 

discusses the history behind Vitro residues in the St. Louis area. 

03

Total 

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SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 V

Table A1-2: Database Searches for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Database/Source Keywords 

NOTE: Database search terms employed for each of the databases listed below are available 

in the Excel file called “Vitro Manufacturing Canonsburg Rev 05 (83.13) 05-10-11”

CEDR http://cedr.lbl.gov/ COMPLETED 03/27/2008 

See Note above 

DOE Hanford DDRS http://www2.hanford.gov/declass/ COMPLETED 09/24/2010 

See Note above 

DOE Legacy Management Considered Sites http://csd.lm.doe.gov/ COMPLETED 10/05/2010 

See Note above 

DOE OpenNet http://www.osti.gov/opennet/advancedsearch.jsp COMPLETED 01/03/2008 

See Note above 

DOE Energy Citations http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/ COMPLETED 03/28/2008 

See Note above 

DOE OSTI Information Bridge http://www.osti.gov/bridge/advancedsearch.jsp COMPLETED 10/04/2010 

See Note above 

Google http://www.google.com COMPLETED 10/04/2010 

See Note above 

HP Journal http://journals.lww.com/healthphysics/pages/default.aspx COMPLETED 10/04/2010 

See Note above 

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health http://www.ijoeh.com/index.php/ijoeh COMPLETED 10/04/2010 

See Note above 

National Academies Press http://www.nap.edu/ COMPLETED 03/09/2008 

See Note above 

National Archives http://search.archives.gov/query.html COMPLETE 01/03/2008 

See Note above 

NNSA - Nevada Site Office See Note above 

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SEC-00177 Addendum 1 07-27-2011 V

37 of 37 

Table A1-2: Database Searches for Vitro Manufacturing (Canonsburg) 

Database/Source Keywords 

www.nv.doe.gov/main/search.htm COMPLETED 03/14/2008 NRC ADAMS Public Legacy Library http://adamspublic.nrc.gov/FNOpenClient/FnLogin.aspx?Library=PL_ADAMS^PBNTAD08&Op=Logon&ReturnURL=%2fFNOpenClient%2fFnBrowsePage.aspx%3fLibrary%3dPL_ADAMS%5ePBNTAD08%26Op%3dBrowse&Error=10001 COMPLETED 10/04/2010 

See Note above 

NRC ADAMS Public Library http://adamspublic.nrc.gov/FNOpenClient/FnLogin.aspx?Library=PU_ADAMS^PBNTAD01&Op=Logon&ReturnURL=%2fFNOpenClient%2fFnBrowsePage.aspx%3fLibrary%3dPU_ADAMS%5ePBNTAD01%26Op%3dBrowse&Error=10001 COMPLETED 10/04/2010 

See Note above 

NRC ADAMS Reading Room http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams/webbased.html COMPLETED 09/24/2010 

See Note above 

U.S. Transuranium & Uranium Registries http://www.ustur.wsu.edu/ COMPLETED 03/27/2008 

See Note above 

Table A1-3: OSTI Documents Ordered 

Document Number Document Title R

NA Ref ID: 90650 1st of a Kind by Richard Duda 10OSTI ID: 4282427 Report Number(s): TID-5342;M-5482 Ref ID: 48604 

Scrap Recovery At Vitro Manufacturing Company Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 0